Dennis Sellers

<p>Global sales of smartphones totaled 432 million units in the fourth quarter of 2016, a 7% increase over the fourth quarter of 2015, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.gartner.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gartner, Inc.</a> The fourth quarter of 2016 saw Apple leapfrog past Samsung to secure the number one global smartphone vendor position, notes the research group.</p>

<p>Pioneer Home Entertainment U.S.A<strong> </strong>has introduced the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.Pioneerrayz.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rayz and Rayz Plus earphones</a>, a new line of “appcessories” for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. They iOS app features with Lightning accessories.</p>

<p>Apple is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-02-15/apple-said-to-weigh-chinese-supplier-for-next-gen-iphone-screens-iz69urng" rel="noopener noreferrer">reportedly considering</a> Chinese firm BOE as a supplier of screens for upcoming iPhones. The Cupertino, California-based company seems to be looking or ways to shore up its OLED supplies as the iPhone transitions from LCD to OLED displays. </p>

<p>Killer Concepts' $79.99 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.killerc.com/product.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">RocksteadyXS</a> portable Bluetooth speaker plays loud and long. It works with iPhones, iPads, iPods, Android devices, tablets, computers, and other players. It boasts 100 dB of sound and provides more than 10 hours of playback. </p>

<p>macOS Sierra includes a Tags feature, which offers a way to organize your files. Whether your files are on your Mac or in iCloud, you can find them with a click. To create a Finder Tag:</p>

<p>On a regular basis, <em>Apple World Today</em> posts a list of notable new apps or app updates that have been released. They may not necessarily be new, but they're popular and deserve mention. Here are today's picks.</p>

<p>Apple’s shares traded above $134.54 today, surpassing a previous all-time intraday high set in April 2015. What’s more, the tech giant has reclaimed its throne as the only $700 billion publicly-traded U.S. company, riding a post-earnings rally and a more favorable outlook on Wall Street.</p>

<p>Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is launching its Movie of the Day app on Apple TV today. The app, previously available on iOS devices, gives customers a 24-hour window to purchase a movie in digital HD for a price between $4.99 and $9.99, which represents as much as a 75% discount off retail price. </p>

<p>Rogue Amoeba has unveiled <a target="_blank" href="https://rogueamoeba.com/soundsource/" rel="noopener noreferrer">SoundSource</a>, amacOS tool that provides access to critical audio settings. With it, users can instantly change the audio devices used for input, output, and sound effects, adjust the volume levels of those devices, and more.</p>

<p>The Iconfactory has launched a Kickstarter campaign dubbed "<a target="_blank" href="http://blog.iconfactory.com/2017/02/project-phoenix/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Project Phoenix</a>" in an effort to raise at least $75,000 to reboot Twitterrific for Mac. It was the first Twitter client for macOS, but it’s gotten long in the tooth.</p>

<p>The use of mobile apps for business is heating up with nearly 80% of companies using more than 10 apps for business, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mobileiron.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">MobileIron</a>, a company “founded on the idea that mobile apps and data would become fundamental to mobilizing business workflows.” And Apple’s apps are doing well.</p>

<p>According to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.digitimes.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">DigiTimes Research</a>, Apple’s 2017 smartphone line-up with include a 5.8-inch iPhone with a glass casing reinforced by a stainless steel frame and a 4.7-inch iPhone with an aluminum frame.</p>

<p>Apple has been granted a patent (number 9,570,002) for an “interactive display panel with IR diodes,” which shows that Apple has looked into iPhone and iPad screens with built-in Touch ID without the need for a dedicated button. Such a feature has been rumored for inclusion in the “iPhone 8,” which is expected to arrive this fall.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.gear4.com/">GEAR4</a> has launched its new Buckingham iPad TPU flip case range in the U.S.. It features D3O shock absorbing technology for enhanced impact protection. The case is available for the iPad mini 4, Air2/Pro 9.7-inch and Pro 12.9-inch.</p>

<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.kanex.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kanex</a> has released the MultiSync Foldable Travel Keyboard, $49.95 universal keyboard is compatible with iOS, Android and Windows devices . It uses Bluetooth to wirelessly connect to and switch between up to four devices. </p>